Marks your card for a bumper weekend of racing action at Fairyhouse
HONEYSUCKLE is not Queen Elizabeth, just yet. Elizabeth is the undisputed Queen, whereas despite Honeysuckle’s relentless campaign of victory after victory, her claim is contested. A rematch with Benie Des Dieux is a must and the prospect of her taking on Epatante is tantalisingly delicious.
Tomorrow Honeysuckle begins this season’s march toward the throne and there is no doubt that she is a mare which bring a splash of colour to the winter game. She should find tomorrow’s Fairyhouse task in the Hatton’s Grace straightforward and move quickly onto tougher bouts.
Envoi Allen isn’t often the supporting act on a day’s racing and truthfully there isn’t much new to say about this beast. Saying that he will win the Drinmore is like explaining to an adult that a forest is full of trees.
Underwhelming
The Royal Bond perhaps lacks the intrigue of other years. Ballyadam has been a buzz horse since he cost the price of a Lamborghini Aventador last November.
His bumper season was underwhelming but his performance over hurdles in Down Royal when leaving two summer bumper winners in his rear view mirror was dazzling.
Monkfish dives into the chasing world in the first race today. He won a point-to-point before we bought him and Paul Townend had the smile of a child at Christmas after he jumped him on a cold and frosty morning at Closutton recently. He has continually improved throughout his career and physically he has the size and scope to advance again over fences. He has been beaten on all three of his seasonal bows, including by Diol Ker here last year, but I don’t see that being an issue today. We think he can go right to the top.
The Grade Two Mares Hurdle is strangely worth more than the Grade One Royal Bond tomorrow but it has been rewarded with a fascinating field of females. The mares programme is really starting to blossom now and it is no coincidence that two mares have won the Champion Hurdle in the last five years and only three in the over 80 other editions before. And both Annie Power and Epatante ran in the new mares races at the Festival.
Concertista won the mares novice at Cheltenham last season but I have my suspicions about that form.
The first four home were ridden midfield or further back and a lot of the fancied ones were on the coal face throughout. Concertista’s Irish form leaves a lot to be desired; we spent all last winter looking at her as you would a match that won’t light, and while she is only a short head off being a dual Cheltenham Festival winner (don’t be particular please) I have my question marks over her today, especially as her rivals have the advantage of a run.
Minella Melody was not at her best at Cheltenham last year but regardless she is a high-class mare. Queens Brook only found Ferny Hollow and Appreciate It too good in the Champion Bumper, which is without doubt the strongest form here. Her defeat in
Down Royal – by a mare bought out of Closutton for €600! – would baffle even Mr Holmes.
However, it is not Mullins, Elliot or De Bromhead I think will win this valuable prize but Lalor. Carrigeen Lotus comes from one of the best families in the pedigree book. The Lalors have bred, sold and raced her family for decades and it has always been successful.
This mare, while perhaps not as fine a looker as the three mentioned above, has a huge engine nevertheless. She is a relentless galloper which should blossom on her first time stepping up in distance. Ignore her defeat at Leopardstown as the dry ground and sprint finish played against her. Liz
Lalor retains the ride.
Liz has broken her neck, had a child, had a long-term concussion injury (her first winner back was, coincidentally, the dam of Carrigeen Lotus) and yet the nine-time ladies point-to-point champion is only three off beating Helen Bryce-Smith’s long standing record of 109 pointing winners.
These pair of hardy mares could provide the fairytale on a weekend where the big names will dominate.
PATRICK’S PICKS
TODAY
Fairyhouse (1.01) Carrigeen Lotus Fairyhouse (3.21 ) Reality Cheque TOMORROW
Fairyhouse (3.05) Getaway Gorgeous